Two Primary Tasks for Faculty

Thank you for agreeing to serve as a moderator for this year’s SSRD. The committee appreciates your commitment to our students and to the work they present. If you would like to volunteer to serve as a panel moderator and have not signed up yet, please contact the SSRD committee (ssrd-chair@willamette.edu).

First, contact the students on your panel one week prior to SSRD (details below).

Second, ensure that the panel you moderate runs smoothly and according to schedule. Please read on for details.

Before SSRD

At least one week prior to SSRD, please contact the students in your panel. The committee cannot emphasize enough how important this is to the success of your panel! We recommend the following as conversation points:

Ask each student a few questions about themselves so you can report one or two personal things about them at the session (hometown, goals after graduation, and so forth).

Discuss with them the time limits for each paper, format, and appropriate dress. Remind students that the best presentations are those in which the presenter addresses the audience directly and does not simply read.

Encourage students to do a practice run of their presentation to ensure their comfort with the audio/visual set-up in the room. Neither you nor the students need to reserve equipment for SSRD. If a student is uncomfortable USING the equipment requested on their application, however, they should make an appointment with WITS (x6004) for a training session. PLEASE NOTE: WITS training and support will not be available on the day of the event.

Tell the students when and where the presentations will be held. The program information is posted online .

Remind panelists that they are expected to remain with the panel for the duration of its scheduled time. We recommend emphasizing that this is an important professional courtesy.

How SSRD Panels Are Organized

Each panel moderator must work out the distribution of time according to the number of students within the panel. We recommend 15-minute presentations and 5 minute question periods. For most panels, this will permit adequate time for post-panel discussion and transitions.

YOU ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ARRANGING EQUIPMENT FOR STUDENTS. Equipment will be available & setup in the rooms on the day of SSRD. If you feel you need training or a refresher on setting-up computer/data projectors, contact WITS (x6004) to arrange training prior to the day of SSRD. WITS training will NOT be available on the day of the event. STUDENTS are responsible to arrange their own training (not equipment) in the same manner.

The Day of SSRD

As moderator, you are responsible for contacting participants prior to SSRD, setting up the panel presentation area, introducing the presenters, moderating the discussion following the presentations, and keeping the panel on time.

Assist each panelist with set-up (as needed), and introduce each student along with the full title of their presentation.

Encourage audience members to engage with panelists by asking questions and providing thoughtful feedback.

Please fill out and return the evaluation form you are given. This asks for your feedback on your SSRD experience. The evaluation is an invaluable tool for the SSRD Committee in shaping future SSRD programs, so we strongly encourage you to complete and return it.